13 Sep 2010

The History of Exhibitions & The Next Mediterranean at MACBA

MACBA launches the second part of the lecture series on The History of Exhibition and a new lecture series: The Next Mediterranean

The History of Exhibitions: Beyond the Ideology of the White Cube (Part Two)
Lecture Series

The MACBA continues the rereading of contemporary art history that began in Autumn 2009 with a new lecture series focussed primarily on exhibitions of the 80s. Lecturers include Marcelo Araújo (Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo) on the XVI São Paulo Art Biennial (1981), Mary Anne Staniszewski (The Rensselaer Institute, New York) on the construction of a visual culture at MoMA through its exhibitions, Kasper König (Ludwig Museum, Cologne) on Westkunst (1981) and Von hier aus (1984), a special session on Earth Art (1969) with Lars Bang Larsen, Jan Hoet on Chambres d'amis (1986), and Jean-Hubert Martin on Magiciens de la terre (1989). The series will close with a talk by Seth Siegelaub, who will discuss his groundbreaking exhibition projects of the 60s.

Mondays 4, 18 and 25 October, and 8, 15, 22 and 29 November, at 7 pm
MACBA Auditorium. Limited seating
Registration from 13 September on www.macba.cat


The Next Mediterranean: Intershore Dialogues on Art, Economy and Society
Lecture Series



In collaboration with the Birbeck Institute for the Humanities (London), MACBA presents a new series of lectures and conversations with artists, researchers, writers and cultural agents from the countries of the Mediterranean Basin, particularly along its southern and eastern coasts. The series aims to offer a space for discussing the social, political and cultural concerns that affect the different communities and states in this region, particularly during these times of uncertainty. While this initiative is based on a clear geographical affiliation, it does not shy away from delving into its own identity: How is the myth of the Mediterranean formulated? When did it emerge? What interests does it serve? How has it changed as a result of each new wave of modernity? Historical reflections will thus become the basis for exploring possible cultural articulations between countries considered part of the Christian tradition and those of the Arab world, and for outlining possible scenarios for the future.

The programme will start on Friday 1 October with a double lecture and conversation between Costas Douzinas (Professor of Law, Director of the Birbeck Institute for the Humanities, London) and Elizabeth Suzanne Kassab (author of Contemporary Arab Thought: Cultural Critique in Comparative Perspective, 2010). A second lecture by artist Yto Barrada (Director, Cinémathèque de Tanger) will follow on Thursday 11 November, and the lecture schedule for 2011 will be announced soon. Please check www.macba.cat for further updates on this series.

Friday 1 October and Thursday 11 November, at 7 pm
MACBA Auditorium. Free admission. Limited seating